I created a ‘hoard’ of contemporary jewellery inspired by fossil coral, pebble shapes and stone patterns/textures. I incorporated sea glass – fragments of glass tumbled and frosted by the sea, changed into beautiful gems by nature – found on the Wicklow coast, as a sustainable alternative to gemstones. Through beach combing, I have discovered the enjoyment of finding hidden sea glass and fossil coral among the stones.
Hidden and submerged design elements are incorporated in the pieces, waiting to be discovered. My materials consist of sea glass, silver, brass and copper, and I used processes such as piercing, soldering, bezel setting and forming. Hand-drawn etching added a unique pattern of simplified fossil coral shapes. Sand casting and patinas added textures and colour that replicate the look of something aged and transformed by the sea.
Pebble reef
Hoard coins
Clustered fossil coral
Beachcomber's cuff
Beachcomber's cuff
Beachcomber's cuff
Pebble reef
Hoard coins
Clustered fossil coral
Pebble reef